Multimillion-Dollar AARP Campaign busts the
myths of the Health Care Debate
Campaign couples power of 40 million
members, reach of national ad blitz
WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/
-- This week, AARP will launch the next
phase of its Health Action Now campaign with
a multimillion-dollar national advertising
and grassroots push to ensure every American
has a choice of doctor and dependable,
affordable health insurance.
The Association's paid
advertising--available online now--will run
nationally on television, locally on radio,
in print publications and online.
AARP activists will also be in action in
every state to ensure every member of
Congress knows the 50-plus community wants
action to fix what's wrong with health care
and preserve what's right.
AARP's advertising campaign will bust the
myths some are spreading to frighten
Americans, including false assertions that
fixing the health care system will lead to
rationed health care, a government takeover
or even euthanasia.
"We won't stand idle when opponents of
health care reform attempt to scare or
mislead the American people--and older
Americans in particular--about what fixing
the system really means," said AARP
Executive Vice President Nancy LeaMond. "The
truth is we need to fix health care, whether
it's ensuring affordable coverage for
Americans age 50 to 64 or improving benefits
for people in Medicare. It's time for the
public to get the real facts."
AARP will combine this effort with
grassroots action by millions of volunteers
and activists. AARP members will visit their
representatives and senators in their
district offices and attend events in
support of health care reform.
The Association will also host more than 80
events across the country, including dozens
of town hall meetings with legislators and
community leaders.
In Maryland, AARP continues a statewide
series of health care town halls with events
in Easton on August 11 and in Silver Spring
on August 19.
LeaMond added: "The opponents of reform will
stop at nothing to derail the process and
protect their own vested interests--even if
it means misleading older Americans. We're
here to make sure everyone knows the facts
and not the myths."
One of AARP's new print ads reads: "Special
interest groups are trying to block progress
on health care reform using myths and scare
tactics. Like the myth that health care
reform will give the government the power to
make life-and-death decisions for everyone.
That's simply false. The fact is, no one,
including the government or your insurance
company, will be given power to make
life-and-death decisions for anyone
regardless of their age. Those decisions
will be made by you, your doctor and your
family."
This round of advertising is scheduled to
run through mid-September in national
outlets and in select local markets.
Television advertisements will appear on
networks including CBS, Fox News Channel,
Lifetime and MSNBC, while online ads will
appear on Web sites including CNN.com and
ABCNews.com, as well as social networking
sites.
To view the ads or to get more information
about AARP's Health Action Now campaign,
please visit
www.healthactionnow.org.
AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan membership
organization that helps people 50+ have
independence, choice and control in ways
that are beneficial and affordable to them
and society as a whole. AARP does not
endorse candidates for public office or make
contributions to either political campaigns
or candidates. AARP Foundation is an
affiliated charity that provides security,
protection, and empowerment to older persons
in need with support from thousands of
volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have
staffed offices in all 50 states, the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the
U.S. Virgin Islands.
